Emeriti Event

GW's Society of the Emeriti (SOTE) met for lunch in GW's Textile Museum. Two special events followed lunch, a stimulating lecture by Professor Halal and a visit to the "Vanishing Traditions" exhibit.

(1) Professor William E. Halal gave a fascinating and thought-provoking talk entitled "Beyond Knowledge: Technology Is Creating An Age of Consciousness." 

I could not begin to summarize it here but I will mention a few of Professor Halal's striking comments.

We are now living in a post-factual world (all of us, not just Trump). We are beyond knowledge as opinions have replaced facts. Everyone is now voicing opinions.

He clarified at the outset that, when he refers to the Technology Revolution, he does not mean IT only but also, for example, organic farming, aquaculture, climate control, smart robots, 3D printing, fuel cell cars, space tourism, and cancer cure.

Artificial Intelligence is one of the critical areas.

Predictions: 
By 2000 a $1000 PC will have the power of the human brain.
By 2025 Weak AI will replace routine knowledge work.
By 2040 General AI will be comparable to humans.

2020-2030 Most Likely Scenario
cancer cure
climate shift
bio-war
global ethics
global brain
automation of routine thought

Biggest increase in future jobs: Creative Work e.g. entrepreneurs, artists - Computers cannot imitate these jobs

Complex manual work will remain because computers cannot do it - e.g. barbers, janitors, farmers, cooks, gardeners, repairmen, carpenters, dentists, care givers

Obstacles to Global Maturity
Lack of leadership, political will, vision, cooperation, etc.

How far up on the pyramid of consciousness can AI go? Perception, Awareness, Memory yes; but emotion? AI can simulate emotion but cannot experience real emotion.

Final thought: Computers will become very powerful and will replace humans BUT humans will always be needed.

But we need to develop global ethics - we need collaboration (diplomacy, joint problem-solving), centrist solutions (green tax, corporate citizenship, government markets), and conflict resolution (peacemaking, arbitration, mediation)



(2) Museum Visit "Vanishing Traditions: Textiles & Treasures from Southwest China" -  an exhibit of textiles from Guizhou

We were given these lovely bookmarks from the exhibit.

Here are some photos of items in the exhibit:

 

 

 baby carriers

Mothers carried their children to work with them until they were three years old

 clothing for a man

 hats and shoes for children